§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what levels of investment spending have been assessed and requested by British Rail as required to(a) maintain the track and signalling so as to avoid speed restrictions and (b) replace outdated track, signalling and rolling stock.
§ Mr. FreemanThe British Railways Board allocates its investment spending within its overall external financing limit. The need for the board to maintain and replace infrastructure and rolling stock was taken into account in determining the additional resources for the railways announced in the Chancellor's autumn statement.
§ Mr. MoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the additional funds made available to British Rail in the autumn statement for leasing capital equipment could be appropriately used for the ordering of new long-distance network trains for the Kent coast services; and what constraints or impediments prevent British Rail from entering into such arrangements in the near future.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Chancellor's autumn statement enables BR to order on lease an additional £150 million worth of new rolling stock. Only the leasing payments will count against its external financing limit. BR is currently considering which rolling stock orders would be suitable for leasing; the options include new rolling stock for Kent coast.
I have asked BR to proceed as quickly as possible with negotiations on a suitable leasing arrangement.